Reenforced glass



April 7, 1931- w. F. BLEECKER 1,799,146

REENFORCED GLAS S Filed July 27, 1925 INVENTOR. W F Bleeekef' Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES WARREN F. BLEECKER, OF BOULDER, COLORADO REENFORCED GLASS Application filed July 27, 1925.

This invention relates to reenforced glass and the method of its production and its principal object is to strengthen glass by coating it with a quick drying transparent substance which acts as a mechanical and elastic support for the glass and prevents its breaking or cracking under hard usage or sudden shocks, and which in the event of the glass being broken under more than ordinary l stress, holds the pieces together and pre vents them from falling apart or out of the retaining means.

My invention is particularly adapted for use on watch crystals and it is a further object to apply the strengthening coating in such manner that the connection of the Crystal with the bezel of the casing, in which it is seated, is tightened and cushioned.

My invention in its simplest form consists ffl in coating one or both sides of a Watch crystal or other sheet of glassfwith a solution of Celluloid or other cellulose compounds which are transparent and hardened upon evaporation of its solvent.

The Celluloid is for this purpose dissolved by the use of a volatile solvent, such as acetone, to a paste or emulsion of a consistency permitting of its being applied in a thin film by a brush or How. The Celluloid upon evap- "lf oration of its solvent,.hardens in place and provides an elastic and transparent film of uniform thickness, evenly adhering to the glass over the entire extent thereof.

By applying the solution upon both sides of a watch crystal to or around the edge thereof, a marginal elastic cushion is provided which tightens the connection between the crystal and the bezel of the Watch casing With suflicient resiliency to allow of the w crystal yielding under stress. A similar result may be attained by applying the solution to the outer surface of the crystal and across its joint with the bezel after the crystal is snapped into place on the casing of the watch.

In the accompanying drawing the methods of applying the protective coating to a watch crystal, herein above described have been illustrated on an exaggerated scale:

Figures l and 2 representing a sectional Serial No. 46,366.

view of a watch crystal seated in the bezel of its casing, and

Figures 3 and 4 a similar view of the crystal per se.

Referring first to Figure l, the reference character 5 designates the bezel of a Watch case and 6 the concavo-convex crystal sprung into the groove thereof.

The coating 7 of cellulose compound is applied over the outer surface of the crystal and extends across the joint between the crystal and the bezel as at 8. In Figure 2 the crystal 6 is coated on both sides and across its edge to provide an elastic gasket in the groove of the bezel. A crystal coated on one side is shown in Figure 3 and a crystal coated on both sides is illustrated in Figure 4. In each illustration the film has been designated by the numeral 7 as in Figure l.

It is to be understood that while my invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with watch crystals, it is by reason of its resistant strength and elastic supporting quality of equal value if applied to window panes, windshields of automobiles and other objects of similar character.

I am aware that the use of Celluloid in sheet form, either as a substitute or as a reenforcement for glass is old in the art and it is also known to me that acetone or other suitable volatile solvent has been proposed as a means for fastening the Celluloid sheet upon the glass.

The use of sheet Celluloid in any manner is, however, objectionable by reason of its required thickness and consequently reduced transparency and elasticity and furthermore because of the fact that its application in air-tight connection with the glass requires the employment of hydraulic or other pressure devices without, however, succeeding in completely avoiding the formation of air bubbles and other imperfections which impair the transparency and resiliency of the material.

My invention resides solely in applying to the glass, a film of variable thickness, in the manner hereinabove described and illustrated in the drawing, by the use of a Cellulose compound in solution, it being understood that a transparent cellulose compound different from celluloid, as for example, cellulose Xanthate, may be used with satisfactory results. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with the bezel of a watch casing, of a crystal in engagement with the bezel, and a coating of a cellulose compound sealing the joint between the'bezel and the crystal.

2. The combination with the bezel of a watch casing, of a crystal in the bezel, and a coating of a transparent cellulose compound covering a surface of the crystal and the joint between the crystal and the bezel.

3. The combination with the bezel of a watch, of a crystal in the bezel, and a coating of a transparent cellulose compound covering a surface of the crystal and sealing the joint between the bezel and the crystal.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

WARREN F. BLEECKER. 

